Expansion Valve

Abstract

A valve assembly ( 10 ) includes a housing ( 12 ) including an inlet ( 14 ) and an outlet ( 16 ). A tubular inlet spool ( 18 ) is located in the inlet ( 14 ) and has a closed downstream end ( 22 ) and a plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) through an outer surface ( 26 ) of the inlet spool ( 18 ). A tubular sleeve ( 28 ) is located over the circumference of the inlet spool ( 18 ) and is movable to substantially uncover the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) thereby allowing a fluid flow ( 54 ) through the valve assembly ( 10 ). A method of flowing a fluid ( 54 ) through a valve assembly ( 10 ) includes urging the fluid ( 54 ) into a tubular inlet spool ( 18 ) of the valve assembly ( 10 ) to a closed downstream end ( 22 ) of the inlet spool ( 18 ). The fluid ( 54 ) is directed toward a plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) disposed in an outer surface ( 26 ) of the inlet spool ( 18 ). A tubular sleeve ( 28 ) located over the circumference of the inlet spool ( 18 ) is articulated to substantially uncover the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ), allowing the fluid ( 54 ) to flow therethrough.

1 . A valve assembly ( 10 ) comprising:
 a housing ( 12 ) including an inlet ( 14 ) and an outlet ( 16 );   a tubular inlet spool ( 18 ) disposed in the inlet ( 14 ) having a closed downstream end ( 22 ) and a plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) through an outer surface ( 26 ) of the inlet spool ( 18 ); and   a tubular sleeve ( 28 ) disposed over a circumference of the inlet spool ( 18 ) and articulable to substantially uncover the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) thereby allowing a fluid flow ( 54 ) through the valve assembly ( 10 ).   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) are substantially equally spaced around the circumference of the inlet spool ( 18 ). 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the outlet ( 16 ) is disposed such that the fluid flow ( 54 ) changes direction approximately ninety degrees between the inlet ( 14 ) and the outlet ( 16 ). 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve ( 28 ) is articulable substantially along an inlet central axis ( 34 ). 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 1  comprising a motor ( 32 ) operably connected to the sleeve ( 28 ) to articulate the sleeve ( 28 ). 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 5  wherein the sleeve ( 28 ) is connected to the motor ( 32 ) via at least one connecting rod ( 36 ). 
     
     
         7 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 6  wherein the at least one connecting rod ( 36 ) is disposed in the housing ( 12 ). 
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 5  wherein the motor ( 32 ) is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly ( 10 ) is an expansion valve. 
     
     
         10 . A method of flowing a fluid ( 54 ) through a valve assembly ( 10 ) comprising:
 urging the fluid ( 54 ) into a tubular inlet spool ( 18 ) of the valve assembly ( 10 ) to a closed downstream end ( 22 ) of the inlet spool ( 18 );   directing the fluid ( 54 ) toward a plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) disposed in the outer surface ( 26 ) of the inlet spool ( 18 );   articulating a tubular sleeve ( 28 ) disposed over the circumference of the inlet spool ( 18 ) to substantially uncover the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ); and   flowing the fluid ( 54 ) through the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) toward an outlet ( 16 ) of the valve assembly ( 10 ).   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  comprising absorbing fluid impact forces in the closed downstream end ( 22 ) of the inlet spool ( 18 ). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the fluid ( 54 ) is directed substantially radially outwardly toward the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of spool openings ( 24 ) are substantially equally spaced around a circumference of the inlet spool ( 18 ). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the sleeve ( 28 ) is articulated substantially along an inlet central axis ( 34 ). 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the sleeve ( 28 ) is articulated via a motor ( 32 ) in operable communication with the sleeve ( 28 ). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein operation of the motor ( 32 ) articulates a connecting rod ( 36 ) connected to the sleeve ( 28 ). 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the motor ( 32 ) is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the fluid flow ( 54 ) changes direction approximately ninety degrees between the inlet ( 14 ) and the outlet ( 16 ).